Inside, quality is good enough to shade pretty much anything else on this list, and practicality is strong despite the fact that the packaging of the PHEV drive battery robs the car of its third-row seats, and a little of its cargo capacity.įactor in hushed refinement and a cushioned ride, and the X5 is our hybrid hot tip. That muscular six-cylinder turbo petrol plays very nicely with the electric motor for smooth and strong acceleration, while the handling is surprisingly nimble for one so vast.

That means it’s an enjoyable steer by the standards of most hybrid SUVs, or even non petrol-electric one’s for that matter. Speaking of which, thanks to a usefully sized 24kWh battery the X5 can travel on pure electricity for up to 54 miles, which is both nifty and allows the car to qualify for the UK government's 8% BIK tax bracket.Įlsewhere, increase in kerbweight aside (this BMW causes the scales to creak under strain of 2435kg), the 45e feels like any other X5. Given its head, this combination musters an impressive 389bhp, while the electric motor has enough urge to make the car feel brisk enough while mooching around. Perhaps the star attraction of the plug-in BMW X5 is its creamy smooth 3.0-litre straight-six, which works in tandem with an electric motor to give both a startling turn of speed and surprisingly running costs. We’ve run the rule over every hybrid-powered SUV currently on sale in the UK, and here's our ten favourites. Exclusive: Government won't reinstate plug-in hybrid grants.The car industry now: New opportunities for start up firms.Mitsubishi's evolution: Working for the Japanese brand in the UK.

Talks for Ssangyong GB to take over Mitsubishi's UK arm fail.

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